CHAPTER 263: CHAPTER 262: MASS KILLING

Due to Aiven’s abilities, the blackthorn he could conjure up was only as thick as an adult’s finger, resembling pitch-black wrought iron.

Although they were sturdier and sharper than naturally grown thorns, once matured, they would solidify and could not initiate attacks autonomously like the "Giant Transformation Vine".

However, despite this, these blackthorns, resembling spiked lances, inflicted severe casualties on the approaching lizard horde!

Screech—!

Screech—!

Pressed by countless companions from behind, the lizards at the front had no chance to evade, just like light cavalry charging into a lancer formation, directly impaled by the sharp thorns.

In an instant.

Dark blue blood spurted everywhere, completely altering the color of this thorny thicket.

The frenzied advance of the lizard horde was finally forcibly halted.

Evidently, the ability of these shadow creatures to convert between "three-dimensional" and "two-dimensional" forms was not a voluntary skill they could employ at will, but more like an innate instinct of these shadow creatures.

Moreover, since it was daytime, there were no shadows available for them to transform in the open area along the shore!

If it weren’t for this, these creatures would have been virtually invincible to human soldiers. Aiven also suspected that these otherworldly creatures had other restrictions upon entering the Material World.

Otherwise, long before the development of human civilization, they would have already launched countless crushing ecological invasions, fully bringing the Material World under the control of the Shadow World.

"Safe for now!"

As the "Shadow Lizards" regrouped around the blackthorn thickets, the three of them approached the "Storm Horn".

Before boarding, Aiven commanded loudly, "Gunpowder Chief, switch to grape shot, target the lizard group, annihilate them for me!"

Not long after Aiven issued the order.

Boom! Boom! Boom!....

All the cannons on one side of the "Storm Horn" opened fire simultaneously as long as the firepower could reach.

The powerful weaponry of humans in the Material World instantly subjected them to a baptism of fire and steel, effortlessly creating a bloody storm where the lizard horde gathered by the shore!

When exposed to sunlight, they were no different from ordinary creatures in the Material World; they could be injured, bleed, and die just the same!

Only now, upon returning to the ship, did the three feel a surge of lingering fear, not for narrowly escaping the lizard horde.

But for the terrifying scenario if these lizards suddenly attacked the crew from every shadow on the ship at night when most were asleep, an inconceivable situation!

Now, though unintentionally alerting them, it might not be such a bad thing.

However, despite the cannon fire suppressing the charge of the lizard horde, it was far from time to relax.

Because.

From the shadowed places further away, like boiling water, more and more Shadow Lizards began to pour out, this was the real tide!

This movement was spreading continuously across the entire seven-kilometer radius of the ring-shaped coral reef!

Previously, the ones Aiven and the others provoked were merely a small ripple.

Now, every shadow on the island seemed like a Wuling microvan, you never knew how many hulking brutes would step out next... to come for you.

Screech! Screech! Screech!....

Splash, splash, splash....

The crew even seemed to hear the sound of real "waves" in their ears, and soon, without surprise, this "wave" would submerge the warship beneath them completely!

Watching this black tide surge on the black island, it felt as if the ring-shaped coral reef surrounding them had come alive.

Borg, the First Mate standing beside Aiven, couldn’t help but take off his officer’s hat, clutching it against his chest. He rubbed his eyes incredulously, his lips trembling out a shaky whisper: "My... Goddess!"

The "Black Dam" as a natural catastrophe surely had its reasons, hiding so many giant lizards on what seemed to be a tranquil and desolate volcanic island.

Even with Aiven sweeping his "Data Visualization" for recognition, he couldn’t count the number of lizards for the time being; he only knew that there were at least fifteen thousand that he could see!

Is the true number twenty thousand? Thirty thousand? Or even more?

No matter the count, it’s a despair-inducing figure!

Maybe compared to the vast ocean, these lizards might not be much, perhaps not even a ripple, but for the "Storm Horn" surrounded and with no escape, it was a lethal threat!

Facing such a horrifying scene, not everyone could remain unfazed.

A burst of commotion broke out among the crew of the "Storm Horn," even causing a momentary pause in the cannon fire.

At this moment...

"Don’t panic, stay steady, keep firing."

Aiven’s calm voice spread throughout the ship, echoing in the ears of every crew member.

The crew of the "Storm Horn," both new and seasoned, all looked up at the captain standing on the aft deck, poised and steady like a mountain.

Infected by the captain’s calmness, the crew suppressed their fear and returned to their duties.

Through continuous victories, Aiven had already established a strong authority in their hearts, becoming the most reliable support in their minds.

To most crew members, nothing seemed to be beyond their captain’s capabilities, much like the impression Gel once left on the crew of the "Silver Wings"!

"Even though the ’Storm Horn’ is one of the rare Level 3 Battleships in the Navy, it’s still limited by the cannon technology of this era, and continuous firepower is hard to maintain.

Even when the number of outdated muzzle-loading smoothbore cannons has increased to 25 on one side, it’s still not enough to form an adequate firepower network.

This disadvantage is not as obvious when fighting human ships or huge sea monsters in size.

But when encountering these numerous invaders from the Otherworld, averaging at the Demonized Creature Level, it’s truly a bit overwhelming."

Speaking to temporarily stabilize the troops, Aiven knew that relying solely on the ship’s long-range firepower alone couldn’t ensure the "Storm Horn’s" safety throughout the day.

It’s fine during the day when these shadow lizards are merely somewhat large lizards under the sun, but by night, they become complete "shadow assassins"!

Also, judging by their flattened tails almost twice their body length, they are evidently excellent swimmers, more agile in water than on land.

Indeed, as Murphy’s Law states: if something bad can happen, no matter how small the possibility, it will happen and cause the maximum possible damage!

Rustle... Rustle...

From other directions, the tide of lizards, not affected by the artillery, easily surged into the lagoon, and the seawater in the lagoon seemed like it was mixed with ink, with a large shadow already surrounding the "Storm Horn."

"Is the Shadow Realm Sea so resourceful? This small island can raise such large numbers of big lizards? Even if you don’t take up space, what do you eat? Obsidian?"

From the best view on the "Storm Horn," Aiven clearly saw everything happening. Despite making light of it with a jest, he already had a response plan in mind.

"Head to the center of the lagoon, make as much noise as possible, and draw them all in!"

While issuing orders again, his movements didn’t slow down.

Thud thud thud...

He turned and took two steps to reach the very back of the upper deck of the aft deck, reaching into the "Magic Pocket" to retrieve a hollow bronze ball the size of a cantaloupe.

Covered in dense inscriptions, the hollow sphere was nested layer upon layer, rotating in completely different directions with a gentle shake.

Though it was vastly different from the original version, it was obviously the upgraded "Siren’s Song" enhanced version, encrypted by the Wizards of the Alchemy School.

In addition to added anti-decryption functions, its power was increased fivefold, posing a lethal threat even to small sea monsters!

Using it against ordinary aquatic demonized creatures was naturally a piece of cake.

As the "Storm Horn" reached the very center of the lagoon, Aiven tied a tough steel wire to the "Siren’s Song," swinging it into the water like fishing.

Plop—

No delay.

Buzz!

With a hum inaudible to human ears, the invisible infrasound waves propagated far away using the seawater as a medium.

From the tall aft deck, Aiven could clearly see the rapidly spreading black tide suddenly crashing into an unbreakable dam.

No! In reality, each tiny water droplet of the black tide simultaneously crashed into a dam regardless of the front or back.

The furious cries abruptly fell silent.

In just five seconds, numerous black giant lizards were floating densely on the lagoon’s surface, now with blood seeping from their mouths and noses, their innards ruptured, losing all their previous intimidating momentum as if storm clouds had crushed the city!

Scree—

A high-pitched shriek came from the shore, and lizards that hadn’t entered the water scrambled back, finally avoiding the fate of following their deceased companions.

Although some sailors started cheering to celebrate the victory.

Aiven, watching the large lizards still hovering inside the ring-shaped coral reef, reluctant to leave.

He understood that this brief victory under the daylight sun was trifling; the real test would come with the nightfall, during that... time when shadows were everywhere!